Larry Walters: Lawn Chair Pilot

Larry Walters is an American aviator who became famous during the 1980s. On July 2, 1982, he carried out one of the most outrageous activities that anyone could imagine. He took an unprecedented flight on a lawn chair that was attached to 45 helium-filled balloons. This flight story was initially met with skepticism, but it was finally confirmed by aviation agencies.

Biography of Larry Walters

Larry Walters was born on April 19, 1949 in California, USA. He was raised by a single mother, and he had two sisters. During his childhood, he had always experienced satisfaction while watching airplanes, and his main aspiration was to become a pilot. At the age of 13, Walters visited the Army surplus store, and he noticed several balloons floating in the air. This notched an idea that he never thought he would use, as he was planning to join the Air Force after he graduated from high school. Nevertheless, his dream of becoming a pilot was shattered as it was discovered that he had eyesight problems. He later acquired a job as a truck driver, but his passion for flying never ceased.

• Larry Walters – The Lawn Chair Pilot: The history of Larry Walters and his famous balloon flight.

The Lawn Chair Balloon Flight

The idea that Walters had when he was 13 years old would come to use 20 years later. On July 2, 1982, with the help of his girlfriend and friends, he attached 45 helium-filled balloons onto a lawn chair. This was done in his girlfriend’s backyard in San Pedro, California. After being convinced that the plan would work, he took his CB radio, pellet gun, camera, and some food into his makeshift aircraft. Then, he instructed his ground crew to release the cord, and within seconds, he was in the air. Larry’s dream was fulfilled the moment The Inspiration 1 was launched.

Then again, things did not go according to plan. His main objective was to fly 300 miles into the Mojave Desert, but his makeshift aircraft rapidly ascended to 16,000 feet, an altitude that he had not anticipated. After being airborne for several minutes, Larry began to feel numb, and he decided to shoot at a few balloons to make his descent. His landing was not so smooth as the balloon’s cables got stuck in a set of power lines, but he managed to get help from the authorities.

• Story of Larry Walter’s Amazing Flight: An article from the University of Massachusetts about the famous lawn chair flight.

• Lawn Chair Larry Flies: A comprehensive account of Larry Walter’s lawn chair flight.

Flight Aftermath

As soon as he landed, Walters was arrested by the police, because he had violated several aviation regulations. He was charged and fined by the aviation agencies. Larry gave the lawn chair to an admiring neighborhood kid, but he regretted this decision later because the Smithsonian Institution museum showed interest in acquiring the historic chair. The chair was found 20 years later, but its discovery was not met with much publicity.

Walter’s flight made him a famous man across the nation. The story was covered in almost all the major newspapers. He was in such high demand that he quit his truck driver job and became a motivational speaker. His flight has also inspired many musicals, plays, and movies, including the musical Flight of the Lawn Chair Man and the film Danny Deckchair. Sadly, Larry ended his life on October 6, 1993 by committing suicide. The motive of the suicide has never been established.

• The Rise and Fall of Lawn Chair Larry: A review of a song from the Pinback band that captures the story of Larry Walters, from his amazing flight to his sad ending.

• Lawn Chair Balloon Flight: A review of a theater musical about Larry’s lawn chair flight

• Lawn Chair Larry Walters: BBC article about Larry Walters.